MSE News: Ryanair and BMI Baby to auto-charge cards for Spanish tax hike

NFH

jpsartre wrote: »

Is there any reason you feel you shouldn't have to pay the appropriate tax on flights you taken?

Yes, if BMI Baby did not give him the option to cancel the flight before he took it. They cannot ask for more money after the event when he no longer has the opportunity to cancel. Even Ryanair gave passengers the right to cancel.

jpsartre

NFH wrote: »

Yes, if BMI Baby did not give him the option to cancel the flight before he took it.

I diagree. The tax has nothing to do with BMI Baby as such, they're merely charging it on behalf of the Spanish authorities. I don't believe they should be obliged to offer a refund because the latter decided to increase the airport tax, no more than they should feel obliged to offer a refund if, say, road tolls were increased.

NFH

jpsartre wrote: »

I diagree. The tax has nothing to do with BMI Baby as such, they're merely charging it on behalf of the Spanish authorities. I don't believe they should be obliged to offer a refund because the latter decided to increase the airport tax, no more than they should feel obliged to offer a refund if, say, road tolls were increased.

What if the tax was increased by €200 per ticket? The airline would have to offer a cancellation and refund. The amount of the increase is immaterial to the principle of the matter.

jpsartre

NFH wrote: »

What if the tax was increased by €200 per ticket? The airline would have to offer a cancellation and refund.

Why? Again, the tax is a matter between the passenger traveling and the relevant authorities. It just so happens that the way the system is set up, the tax is charged by the airline on behalf of the authorities.

NFH

jpsartre wrote: »

Again, the tax is a matter between the passenger traveling and the relevant authorities.

No, it's not. The passenger's contractual relationship is with the airline, not with the authorities. It's not the passenger's fault that the tax goes up after booking. If the airline is unable, for whatever reason, to honour the price paid, then it has to offer a refund.

jpsartre

NFH wrote: »

It's not the passenger's fault that the tax goes up after booking.

It's not the airline's fault either.

orange_groves99

I don't know if this will cheer anyone up but I took up the option to cancel my flight, having seen that it had fallen in price by about 50 euros since I had booked it. I rebooked the flight for the cheaper amount, and now have a little holiday bonus from Ryanair. Thanks, Ryanair!

karent_2

They took my £5.96 today!

Iberian_Dragon

I wonder if RyanAir would refund any excess monies in the event of a tax cut?! Unlikely, I reckon...

lmerrett

SimonFred wrote: »

I bought my return flight to Spain without Taxes, and they still want the Extra Tax money, can they do this?

I had 2 flights booked, one without taxes, but I only got an email about the booking with taxes paid.
They took 2 lots of money from my card, so I put in a complaint to the ryanair cash passport people and said I didnt recognise this transaction.
It took about a month, but the card company have refunded me both lots of extra tax, so ryanair didnt get anything from me.
Only 3.44 euros, but better in my pocket than theirs, lol.:)